ABSTRACT This study evaluates the mission histories of the Assemblies of God Church and the Church of Pentecost in Ghana. It focuses on the similarities and differences in their approaches to mission and their different theological orientations that have contributed to their different growth. The issue of mission is problematised because these Pentecostal Churches‟ different conceptions have led them to emphasize different aspects of mission. Methodologically, the study employed the histori...
ABSTRACT The presence of sickness/illness in society has inadvertently taken out the joy and happiness in most people across the world. This has led to the emergence of many healing strategies spanning from the conventional/orthodox to the non-conventional. The spread of conventional healing methods in many societies have contributed significantly in addressing many health concerns. However, its limitation in dealing with certain illnesses which are spiritual, emotional, and other chronic rel...
ABSTRACT Notwithstanding the bourgeoning compendium of literature on Prayer Mountains (PMs), scholarly discourse on them in contemporary African and Ghanaian Christianity seems limited only to their role in enhancing pilgrims’ spirituality. Using Atwea Boↄ, Ͻboↄ Tabiri, Abasua Prayer Mountain (APM) and Nkawkaw Mountain Olive Prayer Camp (NMOPC) in Ghana as contextual examples, this study argues that scholarly focus on PMs as sacred spaces should not be limited only to the conventiona...
ABSTRACT This research examines the rationale behind the institutionalized pilgrimage process of the Methodist Church Ghana (a phenomenon, dubbed Sacred Site Visitation in this research), and its relationship with the renewal program of the Church. The study was approached from an interdisciplinary perspective, namely, theological, church historical and anthropological perspectives to demonstrate how sacred site visitation affects renewal. Victor Turner’s theory of Communitas constituted th...
ABSTRACT The Upper-East which was predominantly indigenous and Islamic prone region is now a mission field for many Churches. Different Churches have registered their contributions towards the expansion of Christianity in the Upper-East Region of Ghana. The Church of Pentecost (CoP), being the largest Pentecostal Church in Ghana, is the second largest Christian denomination in the region after the Roman Catholic Church. The study in this light, tends to investigate the diverse impact of the ...
ABSTRACT The clause “make disciples of all nations” (28:19), generally referred to as the Great Commission, has over the years attracted the attention of New Testament scholars. Both historical and narrative approaches have been employed to discuss it. Notably, Matthew builds his narrative around the disciples and ends on the Great Commission. Against this background, the research examines the illocutory force of μαθητεύσατε (Matt. 28:19) through an exegetical analysis of thr...
ABSTRACT The second letter of Peter contains a statement which not only has greatly influenced the Christian eschatological and apocalyptic visions, but also is central of the current ecological debate: “…but the heavens that now are, and the earth, by the same word have been stored up for fire, being reserved against the Day of Judgment and destruction of ungodly men” (3:7). Contemporary scholarship has offered two main interpretations of the verse: ‘destructionist interpretation’...
ABSTRACT The idea of the church as a family of God is present in the practices of Ghanaian Mega Churches. Consequently, various structures have been established to promote that agenda. However, like the paralytic at the pool of Bethesda (John 5:5-9), members of these churches feel isolated in the crowd. Even though the congregants belong to multitudinous Christian communities ― often captured in national mass media, donating to people outside the walls of their churches ― they do not exp...
ABSTRACT Christianity seems to be losing focus on violence and the Christian response. Therefore, this work sought for responses to violence found in the teachings and examples of Jesus Christ and His apostles, that honor the Godhead, are faithful to the Bible, relevant to, and redemptive in the context of violence; sensitive both to victims and victimizers of violence; are theologically healthy and give voice to the sufferers of violence. It employed the historical-grammatical method of exeg...
ABSTRACT Many people including some scholars are of the view that Bases are places of negative ideas and attitudes. They argue further that Bases increase the level of crime in the community and that; they also encourage laziness and discourage education. These points of view criminalise the phenomenon of Bases and seek their abolition. On the other hand, some people think that Bases contribute in one way or the other to the security of the community. They serve as mouth pieces for the youth ...
ABSTRACTS This thesis deals with the mission of the Seventh-day Adventist church and politics in Ghana. Basically three schools of thought have been considered in this research namely sectarianism, “Christendom”, and the “Position of Balance”. The underlying issues that have been considered are: Adventist stances on voting, standing for elections, joining political parties, holding political office, political activism, social causes and political alignment of the Seventh-day Adventist...
ABSTRACT The second letter of Peter contains a statement which not only has greatly influenced the Christian eschatological and apocalyptic visions, but also is central of the current ecological debate: “…but the heavens that now are, and the earth, by the same word have been stored up for fire, being reserved against the Day of Judgment and destruction of ungodly men” (3:7). Contemporary scholarship has offered two main interpretations of the verse: ‘destructionist interpretation’ ...
ABSTRACT The research was motivated by the need to review traditional beliefs of the Tiv currently undermined by the significant impact of technological change. The Tiv now put more emphasis on technology and its benefits, resulting in an erosion of traditional values within family and clan structures. The work is based on primary sources, including oral interviews with Tiv in positions of leadership, retired elders and chiefs, as well as average citizens. Secondary sources include materials ...
ABSTRACT The charismatic movement that has become part of the religious scene in Ghana has attracted scholarly attention including the works of Rev. Prof. Elom Dovlo, Dr. Samuel Adubofuor and Rev. Dr. Abamfo Atiemo. This notwithstanding, their works have not given the necessary attention to the indigenous evangelical leaders, some of whom laid the foundation for the current Pentecostal and Charismatic movements in Ghana. In every renewal movement in the history of the church, there have been ...
ABSTRACT The arrival of the North German Missionary Society, also known as the Bremen Mission, in the Volta Region of Ghana was of great significance. Their contact with the people of the Volta Region marked the birth of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana, and other developmental activities in Eweland. The study offers a missiological perspective of the influence of diverse activities of the Bremen Mission in early German missionised and colonial communities of Peki, Keta, Waya, Anyak...